Eco-friendly Holiday Decorations and Gifts for Dog Owners

When shopping for your favorite pet or perhaps for a good friend or relative who owns a dog or cat, why not buy something that also does good for the planet? Many people who own pets already desire eco-friendly products, as indicated by the surge in sales of natural pet foods in 2007, according to market-research from firms such as Packaged Facts www.packagedfacts.com/Natural-Organic-Eco-1391923/#

Some of the interest comes in the wake of pet food recalls. But there is more to it than that. As environmental issues continue to be on people's mind, it is natural to for people to want their pets to live in ways that don't harm the environment, from natural pet foods to toys and food bowls. Using biodegradable, recylable and organic products is a goal that is good for people and pets alike.

Here are some of the top new products for dogs and their owners This Christmas:

1. The Reindeer Cane or Eco-Friendly Tree by A Bone to Pick at www.abone-to-pick.com/index.php . Click on eco-friendly products to see these toys. Both reindeer sand Christmas trees are made of recyled soda pop bottles, hard to believe when you see how soft and fluffy they are. These particular toys are aimed at dog owners, so keep that in mind when you consider these.

2. Holiday Truffles that feature treats that look so delicious you'll have to warn people not to eat them! They come in golden star and red ornament shapes, some sprinkled with a sugar-free glaze that adds a festive holiday touch. Ingredients are totally pet-friendly, containing no chocolate and only natural ingredients.They can be found at this page of eco-animal.com: www.ecoanimal.com/truffles.html Also at this store are Woodsy Woof Dog Freshening Spritz in a seasonal Forest Fresh scent called Fir Needle which has the added benefit of repelling fleas and lice.

3. G.W. Little at www.gwlittle.com/Default.aspxfocuses on items for little dogs. Among their Christmas and holiday items, a standout is the Gingerbread Gift Set, easily located by putting those words in the main search box.This Christmas set comes with Organic Gingerbread and Peanut Butter Biscuits formulated just for dogs. Also included? A very cute Gingerbread man squeak toy, all contained in a holiday print box, perfect for setting under your Christmas tree.

4. Another top product at G.W. Little (see link above) is the Spa Dog Gift Set, a perfect way to pamper a dog during the stressful holiday season. This should please any dog owner who gets it as a gift as well, since it contains pet conditioning shampoo, fresh scent aromatherapy dog mist, plus two grooming brushes and combs. All come wrapped in holiday gift wrap, saving time and energy.

5. The Edible Santa Paws Holiday Card has to be among the most unusual, as well as cutest, cards for dogs this Christmas season. Yes, it is completely edible, complete with non-toxic colors. It looks like a standard Christmas card, with a greeting that says, "Merry Christmas from Santa Paws" , complete with a border of holiday stockings, stars and gifts. If you prefer, you can simply send this as you would a standard card, since it comes complete with a festive red envelope. And what could be more recyclable than an edible card? Available at G.W. Little , see link above.

6. At Sckoon www.sckoon.comone of the hottest new products for Christmas is the Organic Dog Kimono, which you can easily find there in the pets section under organic cotton clothes. The red kimono with a white bow looks very original and perfect for the holidays. The kimono is made is certified organic cotton, picked and spun without any chemical and all dyes are metal-free and environmentally friendly.

7. Also at Sckoon is an organic cotton bone pet toy, easily found with the search form. This comes in either large or small and the stuffing is also organic. Again, the red color would be perfect for Christmas. A little loop on top would allow you to use this as an ornament for your tree until Christmas day arrives. This is brand new to the market.

8. Cain & Able at www.cainandablecollection.com/is a great place to find a very elegant Christmas stocking holder for the mantle. It features a doggie paw, very cute, all in shimmering stainless steel.

9. Also at Cain & Able is a bone-shaped Soap on a rope, perfect for adding to any stocking you hang from the stocking holder featured above. It comes with its own small stocking, making things even easier.

10. For those who want to go all out this year, you can find a very impressive Holiday Bone Basket at Cain & Able (see link above). It is filled to the brim with
16oz Shampoo and Conditioner, 2 oz Between Baths Spritz and .5 oz Paw Rub along with a sponge and rubber duck. All products are safe, completely All Natural and made with essential oils to help to repel bugs and fleas. Available in the Original Lavender scent or Peppermint/Tea Tree. It is either garnished with red spring fill and a Christmas card. If desired, it could also with decorated for Hannukah. The bone basket and filling make for a very attractive presentation, so if you want to impress a favorite friend, relative or client who dotes on his or her dog, this is the gift to give.

With these suggestions, you can give gifts to any dog owner your know - or buy something for your own pet - and feel good about being socially responsible and environmentally friendly as well. Fido and his owner should both be delighted with these unique, earth-friendly holiday gifts. You can rest easy knowing that your present isn't going to end up in some landfill.